A more focused general manager generally yields better results, and that is what the St. Louis Rams are counting on this offseason. Last year at this time, the team was still very much in flux with Jeff Fisher just being appointed head coach and no GM in place yet. Now one year later, GM Les Snead is ready to be a difference maker in the St. Louis scouting process during this 2013 offseason.

Although it was hectic, Snead fondly reflected on a year ago at this time after he had interviewed with the Rams for their vacancy and was still with the Atlanta Falcons organization. He said: “Because so much is going on, your mind’s not totally focused on the task at hand. You don’t know where you’re gonna be.”

That isn’t the case this time, and the Senior Bowl this week is a great place for the Rams to continue their quest to rebuild via the NFL Draft. Unlike the NFL Scouting Combine which gets more headlines, the Senior Bowl features prospects actually playing football.

You know, with pads on?

Snead certainly enjoys that part of the week leading up to the Senior Bowl game on Saturday. The practices are where the bulk of the scouting takes place, and talent evaluators get to see what these prospects do when the pressure is on. According to Snead: “You’re gonna have first-rounders, second-rounders, third-rounders there. What’s neat about it is you get to see them live. You get to see ’em compete close up against other people of similar (skills). Pretty good prospects. So that’s always a nice thing.”

Informal, sure, but don’t mistake Snead for a novice. He has already proven his worth to the Rams with the significant turnaround they experienced in 2012. The key to continuing that progress is adding more young, impact players on both sides of the ball during this year’s offseason. Expect Snead to keep doing things his way and that is just fine by the Rams.